Posts Tagged ‘Blonde Ambition’

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

With one quick glance, most would toss Kimberly Caldwell into the wrong box. With blonde waves and flickering eyes, one might toss her into the manufactured pop category of the majority of Idol castoffs. But that categorization would be wrong.

Don’t let the pretty looks fool you.

Kimberly Caldwell isn’t just another marketable face sculpted by a record label. The girl’s been through the ringer and it’s apparent on her debut, Without Regret. One thing that has always remained certain: Kimberly Caldwell’s raspy vocals and emotive execution is more than just pretty. It’s genuine, relatable, and real.

Go pick up her debut album, out now.

I love this record!

Listen to two of my favorite numbers from Without Regret below.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Sensei Crackney Spurrs!

See, that’s the thing with Britney. She delivers the candy coated goods with ease, and much like the actual chewy real stuff, it often gets stuck (except instead of your teeth, it plaques your brain). This is the case with pretty much the entire Femme Fatale record (or any Britney record for that matter), but the stuckdom takes a turn for the worst upon hearing the bonus track Scary, on the Japanese version of the record. That’s when all hell breaks loose. Honestly, this song might be my favorite on the entire album. It’s hook heavy and full of studio tricks = it instantly sticks.

Listen below.

[Watch the just-released music video for Till The World Ends following.]

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

This woman’s my hero!

With the just-announced news that Dolly would be touring this summer I found myself listening to old records and watching clips of her online. And I stumbled upon this gem of a photograph, as well as some touching points made when Dolly was interviewed last year by Larry King. Can’t wait to see you on the road this summer, Dolly!

When asked about her loyal gay fans:

“I have a lot of gay fans, female and male. A lot of people feel like they’ve grown up with me. As you know I’ve always been outspoken, I’ve always been pretty outrageous. I’ve always believed that a person should be who they are and you should be comfortable being who you are and people should leave you alone to be who you are and how you are. So I think I’ve always been accepted in the gay community because I accept them. I have so many fans who’ve always loved to come to the shows and they know that I’m not judging them. I think people are who they are. We’re supposed to love each other for what and who we are.”

When asked about anti-gay bullying:

“I don’t know the reasons why people act the way they do about other people. I just think we need to dig down a little deeper and try and be a little kinder to one another and accept each other for who we are. You can’t tell me that people are any way other than how they’re supposed to be. I don’t think gay people are trying to be different just to make other people miserable. I think people are being who they are. I think we should be a little more tolerant and a little more accepting and understanding.”

[Dolly, in an interview w/ Larry King]

Check out a recent interview below + Dolly’s version of Shine following. (The lyrics felt appropriately matched to the message of this post.)

PS: I’ve gotta get back to Dollywood! That place rules my face!

[Related Post: Dolly Returning To The Big Screen w/ Queen Latifah]

By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

The Sounds are back with a new album entitled Something To Die For. Basically, this record sums up three demands: dance, sing along, and interpret. The Sounds are an original, underrated Swedish five piece that recognize the definition of creative music. (A little side note for those of you are unfamiliar with the group, they’re fun, almost 80’s style sound will turn you out.)

This is the group’s fourth album to date, and this album differs on all fronts. To be honest, it was love at first sight. For current fans of the group, this is the record that will redefine the fresh attitude for The Sounds. The new wave, synth pop sound emphasizes lead bombshell vocalist Maja’s talent. Key tracks such as The No No Song, Something To Die For, and Won’t Let Them Tear Us Apart, are some that I recommend to the listener trying out for the first time, as each is a good way to test the water.

Purchase this if you want to feel like you’re rocking out to the days of big hair and neon leg warmers.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

How precious is this pop tart?!

Fresh out da oven.

Most songwriters cannot claim to have written a track as big as, oh you know, If I Were A Boy by Beyonce. But then again, most songwriters are not BC Jean. In a way to deal with heartbreak, Jean channeled all of her inner pain post-breakup to create a beautiful record and as most would be, was excited to get a phone call stating that Beyonce wanted to record the track.

But that’s besides the point…

BC Jean is emerging now as her own artist and has released a record just as heartfelt as If I Were A Boy, the emotionally soaked I’ll Survive You — another dose of post-breakup stress channeled through song.

Listen to I’ll Survive You + watch an interview with the singer/songwriter as she discusses If I Were A Boy and her upcoming debut album (release date TBD), following.

By: Caitlin Hoffman
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

A woman should never take the stage unless she knows how to move, knows how to sing, and knows how to riot, one way or another. Taylor Momsen knows this well, and gives it all when leading The Pretty Reckless. They have an edge hot enough to cauterize your arteries, primed to slice up your ears. Sometimes I feel like they put a little too much hard into hardcore. They could turn it down five notches and still bust your chops!

For the record, I don’t care what you have to bitch about Taylor Momsen. I don’t care if she’s not your choice for a leading lady, I only care that she owns the stage and has a voice that rocks my socks off. I’m not here to talk some chalky celebrity gossip- I’m here to talk about music. And their music is something worth talking about. Who cares what a musician does when they’re not on stage?

It’s dark, but splices of light have a tendency to slip through. I can picture them touring with Die Mannequin, or anyone else who knows the truth of grit. Taylor always said the point of this band was to give people something they didn’t expect, something that would give people a double-take while they’re on stage. All about shock value, trashy truths uncovered in the dark corners of the night. Not only do I feel the passion behind their rock, but I feel the intense honesty in the songs, and that’s what keeps me listening. I know the dark dress, heavy bass, and whisky shots before showtime is a formulaic vibe, but The Pretty Reckless takes it and makes it their own.

Taylor’s voice is real, and so is the band backing it. That’s what I love: the reality, the integrity of it all. That’s what real rock should be. So mercilessly honest it breaks your heels.

Come on down to the basement of your brain. The Pretty Reckless is setting up shop here, and they’ve got a good party going.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

“I think ‘Femme Fatale’ speaks for itself… I wanted to make a fierce dance record where each song makes you want to get up and move…”

-BS
[Via V Magazine]

[Femme Fatale is in stores and available digitally on March 29th.]

Femme Fatale Track Listing:
1. Till The World Ends (Produced by Dr. Luke, Max Martin and Billboard)
2. Hold It Against Me (Produced by Dr. Luke, Max Martin and Co-produced by Billboard)
3. Inside Out (Produced by Dr. Luke, Max Martin and Billboard)
4. I Wanna Go (Produced by Max Martin and Shellback)
5. How I Roll (Produced by Bloodshy, Henrik Jonback and Magnus)
6. (Drop Dead) Beautiful featuring Sabi (Produced by Benny Blanco, Ammo, JMIKE and Billboard)
7. Seal It With A Kiss (Produced by Dr. Luke, Max Martin and Dream Machine)
8. Big Fat Bass featuring will.i.am (Produced by will.i.am)
9. Trouble For Me (Produced by Fraser T Smith)
10. Trip To Your Heart (Produced by Bloodshy, Henrik Jonback and Magnus)
11. Gasoline (Produced by Dr. Luke and Benny Blanco)
12. Criminal (Produced by Max Martin and Shellback)

The Deluxe version of Femme Fatale will include four additional tracks:

13. Up N’ Down (Produced by Max Martin, Shellback and Oligee)
14. He About To Lose Me (Produced by Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins)
15. Selfish (Produced by Stargate, and Sandy Vee)
16. Don’t Keep Me Waiting (Produced by Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins)

Listen to Britney’s new single, Till The World Ends, below.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Now this is how you make a pop video. Just sayin’!

Britney is back y’all. Seriously, she’s back and she’s throwin’ down with some neon DayGlo paint, sleek dance moves, & a skyscraper gown. The super funky vid for Britney’s smash, Hold It Against Me, was directed by acclaimed videographer Jonas Akerlund — mostly recognized for his work with the queen of pop, Madonna.

Let’s keep it sweet and to the point: Britney, we’ve missed you, sugar britches.

[Sidenote: My only beef with this video is the Plenty of Fish crap. Why oh why is that website popping up in several music videos?! It's so weird.]

Watch the premiere of Hold It Against Me below.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

This past Friday, Facebook suffered from a flood. The flood — mainly brought on by “Little Monsters” — soaked Facebook’s news feed with links, comments, photos, and Youtube audio of Lady Gaga’s just-released, highly anticipated single, Born This Way. Since Gaga is the queen of overhype, I expected the flood and embraced it. To be completely honest, I’ve never been on the Gaga bandwagon and wasn’t too excited to hear the new material. In true imobsessedwithacelebrity fashion, I expected Gaga’s fans to post the video and state how “epic” or utterly genius and amazingly original it was, but to my surprise/shock most posts were the exact opposite. The most stated comment, of course, was how blatantly obvious it was that Gaga’s new self-proclaimed opus was clearly a rip off of Madonna’s classics — specifically the empowering Express Yourself.

And then I listened. And sure enough, they were right.

However, immediately I applauded Gaga for writing a song that had nothing to do with fame or telephones and for writing lyrics without the word “stick”. I’ve been waiting for Gaga to show some depth and although I felt the song was nowhere near as iconic as she had hyped it up to be, I appreciated the message of the song. The truth is, whether or not the song is a rip off or not, it’s definitely a step above some of her debut’s lyrics.

See, the thing is, I have a lot of beef with Gaga. It’s as if the woman clearly has some self esteem issues. Otherwise, what’s the point in declaring your greatness. For example, in the new issue of Vogue, Gaga stated: “I consider myself to have one of the greatest voices in the industry. I consider myself to be one of the greatest songwriters.” See, it’s fine and dandy to have confidence in your ability and talent but there’s a fine line between being confident and being a straight up egotistical douche. And Gaga crosses this line more often than I am comfortable with, which is one reason I have had a hard time becoming a true fan.

That line was crossed when she stated that Born This Way was in fact going to become the new gay anthem for our generation. Besides being a bit bold, that statement came across as a slap in the face, for instead of letting the gay community decide what the new anthem was going to be, Gaga was basically telling us what it was going to be. Sorry, but who voted you our President? Since when have you ever walked a mile in a gay man’s shoes? (Not every gay man gives a shit about designer labels and six inch heels.)

Also, I was really hoping that this would be the best time for Gaga to strip the hysterics and to really show us the real side of herself, the side that isn’t cluttered with goth lipstick and ripped fishnets and porcelain pink weaves. After all, the song is about being who you were born to be. The last time I checked Lady Gaga was born Stefani Germanotta. She grew up in a wealthy family on the Upper East Side. She attended private school with Paris Hilton. She was never a tortured artist. And she never was blonde.

To add more fuel to the fire, the single cover would’ve been more powerful and felt if perhaps maybe Gaga used a simple black and white photograph with little to no makeup and no wigs. Instead, we get the typical half-way naked shot with caked on eye makeup and computer generated horns and exaggerated back bones.

Bottom line: Appreciate the message, even if it does get lost in translation.

Listen to Born This Way below.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

[Photo Credit: Tom Pennington & Christopher Polk/Getty Images]

Let’s just cut to the chase, shall we?

Not to sound like a tween on Youtube but can all you haters just can it already?! Everyone knows by now that Christina Aguilera messed up the lyrics to the Star-Spangled Banner during the Super Bowl! Stop bitching about it on Facebook. Stop twitterin’ how it was offensive to you as an American that she effed the words. Let it go. For real, stfu. She’s a human being and human beings make mistakes! Get real, people!

In all honesty though, what does it say about our culture/media that we can forgive Tiger Woods for his indiscretions, we can let go of the douchebaggery spewed from Kanye’s mouth on numerous occasions, we can still allow Charlie Sheen into our homes even after the news of his epic fails, yet we cannot seem let go of the fact that Aguilera botched a few song lyrics? There’s something seriously wrong with that! (Oh, and not to mention that Janet Jackson’s nipple flash was way more offensive than Aguilera’s honest mistake. You try to perform in front of a gazillion people and see if you’re pitch perfect.)

LEAVE CHRISTINA ALONE.

And for the record — in case you have forgotten — the woman can sing.

Watch my favorite Aguilera performance below.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Join the club!

Robyn’s highly infectious first single from the Body Talk series, Dancing On My Own, captured listeners with it’s punch-to-the-face beats fused with the emotional attachment of being in love with someone who could care less about said feelings. The video, as with all of Robyn’s videos, was a visual treat, taking the song to a fresh place mentally. The same can be said in the simple documentary stylized video for Hang with Me, the lead single off Body Talk Pt. 2 — a sweet and vulnerable record, even if it is possibly, most likely about a friends with benefits type of relationship.

What I love the most about Robyn is how her music, even the most electronic, dancefloor declarations that make you want to shake your ass and stomp your feet — even those songs show complete intelligence and thought and often a vulnerable yearning-for-love heart.

Recently, Robyn performed Dancing On My Own at The Warfield in San Francisco and discussed how fans in the US have been reacting to the track. The Swedish pop star goes on to share her favorite subject (”sad love”) and talks about how it has weaved itself into her music. She goes on stating: “‘Dancing On My Own’ is definitely a four on the floor beat, and I wasn’t sure how it was going to go down in the states, but people are really connecting to it and when we play it live, it’s the one song people really go crazy on.”

Check it out!

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

In the just-released video premiere for Pink’s empowering F**kin Perfect, P!nk dives into the dark bloody waters surrounding the issue of suicide. The outcome showcases what any loyal Pink fan has known from the start — that Pink’s music may sometimes express a side of herself that is confectioned and strobe-light-ready but there’s also the other side of the switch, the side that exposes the heart and guts inside this magnificent artist.

F**kin Perfect is an incredibly powerful song set against an incredibly powerful story.

Directed by David Meyers, the man behind Katy Perry’s Firework video, the message centers around the abusive and chaotic life of a young girl (played by ’90s child star Tina Majorino).

A Personal Note From P!nk:

I’m sure my newest video for “F**kin’ Perfect” will be much like some of my other videos, which basically means I expect it will ruffle some feathers.

My favorite books, art pieces, films, and music, always have something jarring about them. I want art to make me think. In order to do that, it may piss me off, or make me uncomfortable. That promotes awareness and change, or at least some discussion. That is my intention.

You can’t move mountains by whispering at them.

Cutting, and suicide, two very different symptoms of the same problem, are gaining on us. (The problem being; alienation and depression. The symptoms; cutting and suicide). I personally don’t know a single person who doesn’t know at least two of these victims personally. A lot of us have seen certain starlets showing off their latest scars on a red carpet somewhere, usually right before they head back to their favorite rehab.

It’s a problem, and it’s something we should talk about.

We can choose to ignore the problem, and therefore ignore this video, but that won’t make it go away.

I don’t support or encourage suicide or cutting.

I support the kids out there that feel so desperate/numb/powerless, that feel unseen and unheard, and can’t see another way… I want them to know I’m aware. I have been there. I see them. Sometimes that’s all it takes.

Making this video was a very emotional experience for me, as was writing this song. I have a life inside of me, and I want her or him to know that I will accept him or her with open and loving and welcoming arms. And though I will prepare this little munchkin for a sometimes cruel world, I will also equip this kid to see all the beauty in it as well. There are good people in this world that are open-minded, and loving. There are those that accept us with all of our flaws. I do that with my fans/friends, and I will do that with my child, whoever they decide to be.

If you or someone you know needs help, please visit TWLOHA.

Wow. What a passionate, courageous, and beautiful message!

Watch the new video (not for children) for F**kin Perfect below.

[Another source for suicide prevention: The Trevor Project.]

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Welcome back, homeskillet!

Earlier this week, Britney’s brand new single leaked via demo. The blonde pop tart quickly tweeted to her millions of followers after the leak stating: “Heard an early demo of my new single leaked. If u think that’s good, wait til you hear the real one Tuesday.”

Well, it’s Tuesday and Britney’s back, bitch? Yup, Spears has returned in true Britney fashion as Hold It Against Me is composed of Britney’s standard seduction techniques: electronic dancefloor beats, a sleek pickup line (If I said I want your body now / Would you hold it against me), and of course a breakdown of Britney whispering/speaking over the mic.

The thumper of a track was produced by longtime collaborators Max Martin and Dr. Luke, the powerhouse duo behind smash records by Kelly Clarkson (My Life Would Suck Without You), Pink (Who Knew), T.I. (That’s All She Wrote) and Ke$ha (Kiss N Tell), among others.

Watch a fanmade promo + listen to Britney’s Hold It Against Me below.

[Related Post: No One Pops It Quite Like Britney]

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Bless her heart!

LeAnn Rimes recently joined the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles at their annual Christmas event titled Comfort & Joy, dedicating the show to the memory of troubled gay teens who committed suicide after being bullied this past year.

Rimes, who entered the stage holding a single red rose quickly became emotional as she began to dedicate her final song of the evening to the tragic loss of teens who had been tormented for being gay.

“It’s been an incredible year, but also a very tragic year for a lot of young gay men and women who have been taking their own lives because they can’t be themselves,” Rimes said to the audience.

When she started to tear up, an audience member yelled: “We love you!”

“It’s really sad when people can’t be themselves,” she finished before singing The Rose with the group.

Watch the touching performance below.

By: Rob Brayl
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

She’s a human! A beautiful one at that.

“It’s about being human. We all look different, but when you strip it all away, we all have similar emotions. the ups and the downs, the joys, the sorrows, and the power, the uniqueness, the magic. Nothing can take away the beauty and the power of who you are and the power of our voices.”

-NB [on new album, Strip Me]

Check out NB in all her sweet glory discussing the album + my favorite track (Run, Run, Run) from the new disc following.

[Related Post: If Bedingfield's 'Strip Me' Was A Drug, It Might Be Crack]